Traditionally, European countries have maintained national standards in reference to a large number of industrial products, e.g. DIN (Germany), BSI (United Kingdom). In addition the FEM (Federation Europeenne de la Manutention) has published standards specifically for material handling and lifting equipment.With the creation of the European Union, organizations for standardization were established at different levels of regulatory authority covering numerous product areas. The highest regulatory level is a European Standards Commission.Its regulations are absolute and regulatory, focusing primarily on worker safety and protection from occupational hazards.

At the next level are CEN (mechanical) and CENELEC (electrical) Standards. They are more detailed and product oriented than the regulations. Per definition, the publications of CEN and CENELEC are “Standards”, non-regulatory guidelines, reflecting state of the art design and construction practices. They are based on the highest level of probability that equipment, designed to these standards will be safe and functional. They do not preclude deviations or “product improvement based on technological progress”.

The goal of the CEN & CENELEC Committees is to harmonize the new, European norms with existing country-specific norms. The committees responsible for generating new standards include workgroups and sub-committees, which are comprised of representatives of related industries, academia and engineering research, as well as legal counsel. When a new CEN/CENELEC standard is introduced and “HARMONIZED” (language, legal, etc.) national norms (DIN (Germany), BS (England), AFNOR (France),AENOR (Spain), etc) lose validity.

CEN/CENELEC and ISO maintain communication between their committees working on related subjects. FEM is an Industry Association of Material Handling Manufacturers,similar in nature and function to MHIA Product Councils (HMI, CMAA, MMA, etc.). FEM specifications are not regulatory, yet they are widely accepted in the international arena, and usually referred to in the absence of national standards.

Following is a listing of European standards and specifications for hoists and related equipment:

Welcome to Technical Translations and Glossaries. Here you can find translations to Portuguese, Dutch & English, you can also find a big collection of glossaries relating to lift & hoisting equipment, harbour terms, PPE and more.I started this website because it was difficult to find technical translations to Portuguese, Dutch, English on the internet. In Belgium I worked as a safety inspector for lifting and hoisting equipment subject to the European Machinery Directive (98/37/CE), European Norms (EN) and local Belgian regulations, mostly periodic inspections in the harbours of Antwerp, Gent & Zeebrugge with SGS Belgium (NoBo).In 2008 I moved to Brasil and wanted to learn the Portuguese terms for lifting and hoisting equipment. At the moment I live in São José dos Campos - São Paulo, if you have a job opportunity here for me you can contact me. If you have suggestions or questions you can contact me also at:gvdw dot technical at gmail dot com. Leave your comments or word suggestions with the posts. Hope you find what you are looking for, if not ask.